The Midfield Master

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In the next two days, Xia Ze's performance in training was very good. He changed the decline of the previous month and even took the initiative to practice more, which made his teammates and coaches look at each other with admiration.

Maritimo will challenge Romania's Steaua Bucharest away on Thursday. This is the last round of the UEFA Europa League group stage. Maritimo is currently ranked second, while Steaua Bucharest is third. With a difference of 1 point, this is a key battle that emerges.

After training on Wednesday, Xia Ze approached coach Martins.

"Coach, I think I have returned to my best condition. I hope to play tomorrow and help the team appear." Xia Ze said firmly.

Martins looked back at Xia Ze's resolute expression, and couldn't help nodding secretly in his heart, but on the surface he said nonchalantly: "Our coaching staff has seen your performance in training. As for tomorrow's game arrangement, we will discuss it later. It will be announced."

After speaking, he ignored Xia Ze, turned and left.

Xia Ze looked at Martins' back and shrugged helplessly. He really didn't know what the young head coach was thinking.

And after Xia Ze finished the extra training, he passed by the notice board and found that his name appeared in the squad list for the next game, and he felt joy welling up in his heart. However, this game roster did not list who is the starter. This season, Maritimo changed the way of announcing the roster. The game roster was only announced the day before the game, and the starting roster was only announced an hour before the game.

So although Xia Ze knew that he was on the squad, he couldn't confirm whether he would get the chance to start. In any case, this is better than being directly abandoned in the last game, which shows that his hard training is still recognized by the coach.

"Do it well!" Xia Ze suppressed his emotions for more than a month, and now he was on the verge of eruption.

On Thursday, Xia Ze took a flight to Romania with the large army.

After several hours of flight, the plane landed slowly in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Xia Ze went to Eastern Europe with the team for the first time and came to this strange land.

The Steaua Bucharest team can be said to be the number one giant in Romanian football. They once defeated Barcelona to win the European Champions Cup in the last season. The history and honor of this club are unmatched by Maritimo.

The Bucharest Star Stadium, a stadium that can accommodate famous spectators, is just the first year that the stadium has been in use.

Although not big, the Romanian fans are very enthusiastic.

From the moment Xia Ze entered the airport and took the bus, he found that Steaua Bucharest fans were waving flags to cheer for their team along the way.

Unlike the fans in Portugal, the fans of the Stars do not seem to have any malice towards the Maritimo players who came from afar. Where the team bus passes, you can see the fans who are rushing to the stadium on the road towards the Maritimo players. Say hello, show their enthusiasm and smile.

This is completely different from Xia Ze's impression that the home court of the Central and Eastern European teams is the Devil's home court, and it also makes him feel a little more relaxed.

The team's bus drove into the parking lot of the Bucharest Star Stadium. Under the leadership of Martins, Maritimo's players filed into the visiting team's locker room.

"Okay, listen up, everyone. I'm announcing the starting lineup for this game." Martins took out a piece of paper from his pocket after the players sat down, glanced at everyone, and said seriously .

When Xia Ze heard that the starting lineup was about to be announced, he immediately turned his face, stopped putting on his shoes, and looked at Martins.

"The goalkeeper is Sasha, the left back is..."

Every time Martins reads a name, he glances at the person, and if there is a change in the transfer, he will explain a few words to the relevant person. When the starting players read their names, they will nod resolutely to show that they are ready.

"The midfielders are Pereira and Arthur." Martins glanced at them when he read their names, and they immediately nodded.

"Another midfielder, Xia Ze, you start today." Martins looked at Xia Ze and said affirmatively.

After Xia Ze heard his name, his heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Martins and nodded emphatically.

"I won't let you down again!" Xia Ze said secretly in his heart.

But Di Keo, who was beside him, showed a surprised look. He looked at Martins, but he didn't get an explanation from the head coach, so he was a little disappointed.

Xia Ze has not been in good form recently. He has always been the team's starter. In the last game, he helped Maritimo beat the rival Nationals in the same city at home. But today is such a crucial game. Quite lost.

After Martins announced the starting lineup, he asked the team to warm up in the stadium.

"Hello everyone, I'm Christine. Welcome to this crucial battle of the Europa League. Maritimo will challenge Steaua Bucharest away. The winner will advance to the knockout round, and the loser will have to go home." Ke Christine's voice appeared in front of the TV, still humorous.

"The starting lineups of both sides have been released today. What is more surprising is that the state has not been good since returning from injury. The Chinese player Xia Ze, who was still hidden in the last Madras derby, appeared in the starting lineup today. .”

"In such a critical game, Martins abandoned Di Keo, who scored the winning goal in the previous game, and used Xia Ze, who has been in poor form, as the starter. I have to say that this is a risky choice. Although Xia Ze Ze's strength has been demonstrated last season, but his performance this season is so bad, we have to sweat for Maritimo!"

Christine commented on Maritimo's starting lineup. Obviously, he is not optimistic about Xia Ze's outstanding performance in this game. Although he admired Xia Ze very much last season, Xia Ze's performance this season really made him worry.

Madeira Island, in a bar in Funchal, Maritimo fans gathered in the bar as usual, watching the TV broadcast of the last group match of the Europa League.

"What's up? Martins!"

"Is there any mistake, how did you let him play!?"

"He's had a bad season this season!"

"Don't watch, this game is lost!"

After Maritimo fans knew that Xia Ze would appear in the starting lineup, replacing Di Keao, they couldn't help complaining and criticized Martins' formation.

Although Xia Ze was their hero last season, after the summer transfer turmoil this season, coupled with the sluggish state after his comeback, his status in the hearts of fans has fallen to the lowest point.